Carton forming and filling machine



CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 .lNVENTOR-S E. 5. 7245 C HER Dec. 10, 1946.

E. S. TASCHER ET AL CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 E5. TA CHER W. BAZAN T Dec. 10, 1946. E. s. TASCHER ET AL CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS 5.5. TASCHER Y W. BAZANT ORN Dem 1946. E. s. TAscHER ET AL 2,412,370

CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17 19,41 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 TIA Dec. 10, 1946. E. s. TASCHER ET AL CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheets INVENTOR5 E.5. TASCHER W. 562/) T A OR 8m New hi Dec. 10, 1946. E. s. TASCHER ET AL CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 WWW INVENTORS E. .5. TASCHER w. BAZANT 1946. E. s. TASCHER ET AL CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS E. 5. misc (75R BY m AZA r ORN 1946. E. s. TASCHER ET AL 2,412,370 'CARTON'FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 NVENTOR5 E, '5. TASCHEE m 'BAZANTV D 0,1946. ESTASCHE E'TAL 2,412,370

CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed April 17, 1941 10Sheet s Sheet 9 NVENTORS E. TASCHEE Dec. 10, 1946. E. s. TASCHER ET AL 2,412,370

CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE 7 Filed April 17, 1941 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 Patented Dec. 10, 1946 CARTON FORMING AND FILLING MACHINE Eugene S. Tascher, Ingleside, 111., and William Bazant, Wyandanch, N. Y., assignors to National Biscuit Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 17, 1941, Serial No. 388,958

4 Claims.

Our invention pertains to carton forming and filling machines.

The embodiment of our invention that we have selected for illustration is designed particularly for forming and filling lined cartons, such as are commonly used for packaging crackers, cookies, and other food products but the invention is not limited thereto. Such lined cartons are formed by folding together and interlocking the liner and carton blank, the carton blank having side and end flaps and interlocking tongues and slits that are folded and interlocked while the carton blank and liner are being folded together.

An important object of our invention is to provide a packaging machine, or a carton forming and filling machine, wherein the articles being packaged automatically control the feed and timing of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide means in a packaging machine that will measure by volume and with exactness the weight or unit quantity of the articles that will be contained in the package.

Another object is to provide a feeding and control means whereby an exact predetermined volume (and hence weight) of the articles will be delivered to the packaging machine each time, the means being arranged so that it cannot operate until that exact volume is ready to be delivered.

Another object is to provide means for adjusting the volume measuring means so that the exact required volume will be measured and delivered each time.

Another object of the invention is to provide means in a carton forming and filling machine whereby it may operate only as a carton forming machine to form cartons, or cartons and liners from appropriate blanks, that-may be removed from the machine after being formed to be filled and closed elsewhere.

Still another object is to provide means, whereby the machine may be adapted to forming, looking and filling cartons of many different sizes and shapes.

Yetanother object is to provide means for delivering a fixed volume of the merchandise to be packaged to a hollow former having an open bottom but in which the merchandise will be held by clamping means until the former has been brought into or substantially into contact with the carton blank or carton liner.

The above and other objects and advantages over prior carton forming and filling machines are attained by our invention, one form of which we have illustrated in the accompanying draw- .2. ings to which reference is had for a full understanding thereof.

Fig. 1 is. a top plan view of an automatic carton forming and filling machine embodying our invention, this form of the invention embodying matter that was first disclosed and claimed in our co-pending application, Ser. No. 330,140.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section on line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 4--4 of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 5 is a top plan, partly in section on line. 5--5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a View, partly broken away and partly in section, on line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the article feeding and measuring mechanism.

Fig. '7 shows a leader or starting block that is used at the head of a column or stack of articles as they are being advanced to the machine.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a section on line 99 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a section on line I0--IIJ of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view taken substantially on line Il-II of Figs. 6 and 9.

Fig. 12 is a section taken substantially on line I2-I2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 13 is a side view, taken on line I3l3 of Figs. 2 and 12, showing the cam and sliding link for operating the carton feed carriage.

Figs. l4 to 18 show five stages in the formation of a carton from a blank and liner.

Our invention in its many aspects and details is adapted to use with different kinds or types of carton forming machines.

In Figs. 1 to 13, we have shown our invention embodied in an automatic carton forming and filling machine, this embodiment including matter that is also shown in our co-pending application, Ser. No. 330,140, now Patent No. 2,315,670. The machine illustrated is adapted particularly for packaging crackers or other forms of biscuit that are delivered to the machine stacked on edge; the machine automatically measuring off definite quantities of crackers or other articles from the stack and forming a carton about each measured quantity.

Referring to Fig. 12, an endless belt I23 delivers the craqkers to a transfer plate I24 in I front of a plunger I25 that is in alignment with a follower I26. The follower I26 is connected to a rack I21 which engages a pinion I28 that is secured to a grooved pulley I29 over which a cord passes that is attached a all? was $9 a 'which holds it against rotation.

extreme left end of its movement. One side of, the switch I t l'isin the circuit of asolen'oid I33 (Figs. 1 and2) which th'rough a system of levers and cams (as shown in Fig. 2) operates to lift the rails I23 on the two sides of the conveyor I23 when the solenoid IE3 is energized to bring the crackers on the conveyorto rest.

The operation of pusher 125 to fed'measjured quantities of the crackers from th rerwareeha of the column on the conveyor I23 to the packaging machine is controlled through a solenoid I34 (Fig. 3) that in turn controls the operation 1 of a one-revolution clutch. The solenoid IS i is in a circuit that is controlled by the switch I3I which is a double switch ,or two independent svvi tcl'les", one in the circuit of the solenoid F 33 and the other in the circuit of the shljnoid I34.

herefore, ach til'ri tl 'lat the follower [26 is pushedto the left (Fig; l), the'circuits" through both er the solenoids I33, I34 Will be closed which will cause the pmhger' I to feed a definite volatile and therefore ald efin'it'eweight of i the crackers from the head of th" column into the packaging. machine where'ithe' carton will beform'd arouhdthem." 7

Reference will now be liadto'Figs. 1' to 4 for a general description of the cracker m asurin and delivery mechanis'rn'ahd carton forming device An electric motor 135,, preferably having a built in adjustable speed reduction drive, through a chain I36 drives a cam shaft I37 that is journalled in' beariiigsin the lower partof the frame I38 and extends across the frame. At its opposite end, the shaft I37 has a sprocket I39 (Figs. 2 en s) which through a chain mo drives a cam shaft I l-I, joui'nalle'd: in the upper part of the frame I38 parallel to the lower cam shaft I37 (Figs. 2 and 4). The shaft I3! has keyed to it a gear M2 meshing witha g ar its" that is keyed to'a third cam shaft 44 journalled in the lower part of frame I38 parallel to the shaft I 31.

The motor I does not drive th'shaft I31 continuously, jbut intermittently through the' one-revolution clutch that is controlled by the" solenoid I34; previouslyjreferred to. (Figs; 1; 2 and 3). The chain I36 drives a sprocket M5 that is fixed to one element Idfiof the one revolution clutch rotatable onthe 'sh'aft I 37'. other element I l'I of this clutch is keyed to the shaft I37 and normally engages the" stop it The stop I48 is pivoted at I59 and a spring I50 urges it into the path of the clutch element m1. (Fig. 3). The free endof the stop I48 is connected to the core IEI of the solenoid I35. When the solenoid I34 is: energized, it" pulls down on the stop I 48,

tilting it about the pivot I49 to'release the clutch which then drivesthe' shaft I 31 one revolution h packaging machine through o cy l of movements. I

The

shaft I51 and at its other end is connected to the upper end of a yoke-like link I59, which flares outwardly at its lower end to provide spaced bearings I69, IEI (Figs. 2 and 5) for ashaft I62 each end of which carries a pinion ISSJ'M engaging the vertical racks IfiE, I66 fined to theframe. Theend's ershaft I62 extend beyondfthepinions res, attend" are jhurheued' in sliding blocks m, W3 that slide in vertical guide ways I69, I'Iii on the frame adjacent the racks I65, I66 (Fig. 5).

A hollow rectangular former I1 I, within which the measured volume of crackers is held while the cagtodhlank' and liner are folded about it,

.2 and 5') that slides vertically in guides I13, I'M

in the frame. Secured to each side of the crossbar"I'I2'is-ara-ck I75, I16 which engage the gears I63 Iii'l' respectively, opposite the fixed racks I65, I86. A pair of chains I11, I78 are connected to the top of the cross' bar I72 and extend over idler sprockets I19", ISIS at the top'lo'f' the frame and over a second pair of idler's'IBfI, I"8'2."that' are above the wells I83, I85. I85, I86; attachedto thelowr'e'nds of the chains ITI, I18 are adapted 'tori'se' and: fallihithew'ell's" and counterbalance the former name I "i2. andits associatedpartsl When the Cam'ISZ makes t e revolution upon release'of the Clutch. n'lenibefj'ml', the 's liding link I55 rises andfalls and rocks the shaft I51.

together with the arm :58; This causes the shaft I62, through its connection'to" th'eli'rik I59 to ride up and down iri'tl'ie'gi lide ways will); "The" pinions I63, I64 on shaft I62 run on thefixed m'ent' with the movable racks I; I16 willc'au'se the latter, and hence the former" I'II, cross-bar I12 and their connected parts te'make vertical strokes of twice the length of the s'trokeo'f' the link I59 and shaft IE2.

,Referfi'ng' a ain to Figs. Ito 5, the camshaft I II has a cam I81, a sprocket IBS and a caiii I8'9' keyed thereto. The cam I81 has al racein which the roller 011' sliding link [if rill'is'. Tli link I9I'is forked at its end' adjacent the cam and slidably engages the'shart I51. The dppbsit eIl d 0f link I9] is pivotally cohhectd to a swinging arm I92 intermediate its ends, the upper end of thearm being pivotall'y supported on a br'aket I93 secured to'the frame of them'a'chin'i The lower'end of arni I'92ijs connected bya'sho'rt" link I94 to the plunger I25'that feedsth'ejcrackis to the hollow former or mandrel IfII. It will'be' noted on reference to Fig. 4', that the'race in'the race embraces only 120 or less; sjo'that theaction' of the plunger I25 takes place uring onethifd,

Adjacent the gear I52; the shaft I3! has a cam I I52 keyed to it (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) having a; groove I53 in which the roller I54 rides. The roller I54 is secured to a sliding link I55 which is forked at itslower end to slidably engage over the shaft I3! an-dat its; upper end ispivotally connected to an arm I56 keyed to a rock shaft I51 journ'alledin the upper part of the frame I38; Another arm I58 is keyed at one end to the rock 01 less than one third, of thtifh rota complete cycle of movement of the packa e, feeding and forming. V H

The sprocket I88 drives a chain I95 th'atwd'rives a second" sprocket I96'keyed toa shaft I9l'j'6ur nalled on the frame of the machine (Fig'sfZ to 4); This shaft I91 carries acam I98 .tl'ie,rise of' the tension of asp ring 262 that is secured to a isconneoted to a il -shaped cross-bar H2 (Figs.

counter weights crackers from the head of the stack. This plate 284 supports the crackers as they are pushed by the plunger I 25 into the former I1I, but when the plunger and plate are withdrawn, the crackers would drop out through the open bottom of the former except for the provision of means to hold them until the former is lowered into contact with the carton blank. This holding means is actuated from the cam Hi8 and lever 288, as best shown in Figs. 13, and 16. A lever 205 is pivotally secured intermediate its ends to the cross-bar I12 that supports the former "I. At its upper end, this lever has a grooved roller 286 that rides along the edge of the finger 283, and at its lower end has a fork 281 that fits over a pin secured to a slide 298 that slides on a guide bar 289 secured in the former Ill above the top edges of the crackers that are to be packed. As best shown in Fig. 4, the slide 288 carries a bracket 2I9 that is secured to a thin sheet metal holding plate 2I I, which is relatively broad and (as shown in Figs. 6 and 8) lies snugly against one side of the former l'll when a measure of crackers is being pushed in and extends below their top edges. Figs. 6 and 8 show a measure of crackers 293 being pushed into the former I1I by the plunger H25. When the plunger I is at the inner end of its delivery stroke and the measure of crackers 293 sufficient to fill a carton is fully within the former I'll but supported by the plate 284, the cam I99 will release the roller I99 of the lever 298 and the guide finger 283 will be pulled to the left (Fig. 2) by the spring 282. This will rock the roller 286 at the upper end of lever 285 to the left and move the forked end 281 to the right together with the holding plate 2 I I. The holding plate presses against one side of the measure of crackers and forces them against the opposite side of the hollow former I1l with a gentle, yet sufirlcient, force to hold them in the former while the support 284 is withdrawn and the former then lowered into contact with the carton blank and liner through operation of the cam W3 and its connected linkage. When the crackers and former I H are forced down during the operation of folding the carton blank and liner, the roller 28% rides down along the finger 283 and keeps the holding plate 2! I pressed gently against the crackers. By the time the carton is formed, the rise on the cam I98 presses the lever 29!) to the right (Fig. 2) so that the holding plate 2 releases the crackers and the former I'll is then withdrawn from the carton leaving it filled with the crackers ready for closing.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 5, the cam I89 on the shaft I4I engages and is adapted to actuate a roller 2I2 mounted on an arm 2I3 that is secured to a rock shaft 2Il mounted in bearings near the top of the frame I38. Adjacent its two ends, the shaft has a pair of arms 2I5, 2I5, keyed to it, the free ends of the arms being pivotally connected to the upper ends of two connecting rods 2I'l, 2I3 the lower ends of which are connected to two liner fold straightening fingers 2I9, 228, which are pivoted at one end to the frame and extend inwardly from the two sides in position to engage within the rear folds of the liner to hold them out smooth and aid in forming the crease so that they can be folded down without wrinkling or tearing when the last folds are made inthe blank and liner'as shown in Fig. 15.

Between the arms 2I5, 2I8, the rock shaft 2I4 carries a third arm 22I that is connected to the upper end of a connecting rod 222 (Figs. 4 and 5),

the lower end of which is connected to a short arm 223, fixed to a rock shaft 224, mounted in hearings on the rear removable top plate 225, whichforms part of a removable unit. The shaft 222 has three liner holding bars 226, 221, 228 secured to it that are adapted to be tilted down and overlie but not rest on the liner to hold it smooth during the initial part of the folding operation (Figs. 4, 5, 9 and 15). One form of carton blank 229 and liner 238 are indicated in Figs. 4, 9, 14 to 18.

Referring to Fig. 3, the cam I89 is concentric through about 300 so that the holding bars 226,

221 and 228 are in their lowered position and the fold straightening fingers 2| 9, 220 in raised or inactive position during that interval. The operation is such that as the bars 226, 221, 228 are raised the fingers 2I9, 220 are lowered.

The bars 226, 221, 228, overlie the liner 230 until it and the carton blank are folded to about the extent shown in Fig. 15. Now it is time to turn up the back side of the carton and liner, so the bars are raised and the fingers 2I9, 220 tilted down to engage within and'straighten out the folds 23I (Fig. 16) that are formed in the liner when the rear side is folded up. These fingers are tilted back or raised very quickly by the cam I89 to permit the end flaps of the carton to be folded in as shown in Fig. 17. At the same time the bars 226, 221, 228 are again lowered,

ready to hold down the next carton and liner that are inserted.

Turning now to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 9, a removable front unit is secured to the frame I38 by a top plate 232, cross plate 233, and brackets 234, 234', the latter having guideways 235, 235' for the sliding blocks 236, 231 which form bearings for the opposite ends of a shaft 238. A pair of pinions 229, 228 keyed to this shaft mesh with racks 24I, 242 fixed to the brackets 234, 234 and with movable rack 243, 244 fixed to the sliding feed carria'ge 2425. Guide bars 245, 241 (Fig. 2) secured to the brackets 234, 232' provide runways for the racks 243, 244 and guides for the carton blanks and liners as they are fed in. A link 248 is connected at one end to shaft 238 and at its other end to an arm 249 keyed to a rock shaft 258 mounted in bearings 25I, 252, in the lower frame. A short arm 253, keyed to shaft 250 adjacent the bearing 252, is connected to a sliding link 254 that has a forked inner end slidably engaging shaft M4 and a roller running in the groove of a cam 255 keyed to a shaft I44 (Figs. 9 and 13). The

arm 249 may be adjustably connected to shaft The shaft I44 has a second cam 25tkeyed to it adjacent the cam 255 and gear I43 (Fig. 2). This cam 255 has a groove 251 (Fig. 3) in'which a roller runs that is secured to a sliding link 258, the upper end of which is pivoted to a short arm 259 fixed to a rock shaft 268 mounted in bearings 26L 262, 283 (Fig. 9) so as to lie adjacent the inner ends'of the guides 246, 241,

The top plate 232 is L-shape in cross section.

and the inner ends of the guide bars 248, 241 are secured to it. (Figs. 4,9 and 10.) A carton folding plate 285 usually made from relatively thin metal, is fixed to the shaft 268, and normally rests in a shallow recess in plate 232. A pair of side wings 258, 261, are pivotally connected to the two sides of plate 265 and normally lie in the same plane. The plate 285 is adapted to turn up the front panel of the carton, and th Wings 266, 261, to turn in two of the carton end flaps, as shown in Fig. 15.

A pair of toggle levers 268, 26.9 are pivoted in-,- termediate their ends to the under face of the plateZBS (Fig. 16) The outer ends of these levers are connected by short links 219, 2.1! to the lower faces of the wings 28,6, 28.7. A bell crank lever 2'12, also is secured to the under side of theplate 2555,.its horizontalleg having a slot near its free end engaging the adjacent ends of the levers 268, 2269 (Figs. 4. and 10). The vertical leg of the lever 232 is connected to one endof a spring 213, the other end of which is connected to an adjustable fastener 214 secured to the removable cross-plate 2.53. When theshaft 26B is rocked to raise the plate :265 to fold up the'front wall of the carton (as shown in Fi the wing carries the lever 2'52 up with it and tends to tilt the horizontal leg 212' toward the vertical, but this tilting movement is resisted by the pull of the spring 213. lhe result is a rocking of the lever 272 relative to the plate 25-5 which pulls the inner ends of the toggle levers 258, 269 away from'the plate 265, thereby folding the wings 265, 251, inward, as shown in Fig. 15.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 9,.there is an opening between the rear top plate 225 and shaft 260, through which the former I'H moves up and down. The former ill, rises above this opening to the position shown in Fig. 4 to receive a measured volume of crackers, and passes down through the opening during the operations of folding. the carton blank and liner about it and depositing the crackers in the carton as it is withdrawn.

A pair of front flap guides 2H, 2% (Figs. 9, l0, 12) are secured to vertical front guides 264, 2&4 and extend toward rear top plate 225. The

guides 215, 235 are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the length of the former iii so that the plates will press against the end flaps of the carton as the blank and liner are carried down between these plates by the former, The front guides 25%, 26s are secured to the top plate 23.2 and-cross plate 233 and are removable" overlying part of the liner just as the rollers 56, I l! function in Fig. 16.

The rear plate 225 has two downwardly extending guides 23?, 283 the forward edges of which curve inwardly as shown at 289, 2953 (Figs; 2 4

is)- so as to engage and fold inwardly the folds 23-! in the carton liner and the end flaps 32!, 322 of the carton lying undertheliner to the position'sho vn in Fig. 17. The vertical parts of these guides .233 below the curved portions are spaced apart a suificient distance to 'just clear the former Hi and carton blank and liner as they are forced down during the folding operations. The space between these two vertical portions is substantially the same as the distance between the guides 2'75, 2%.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 12, adjacent the lower ends of the guides 23?, 288 there are adjustably mounted back closing plates 29!, 292 which engage the back side of the carton blank as it is pushed down by the former l 'i and turn it forward so that the locking tongues on the'end flaps enter the slits in the carton and lock it in formfid position. .A pair .of guides ,293, 294 are secured to thenpper surface of the 'topplatexzib and serve to guide thecartonblank and liner as they are inserted, Fig. 19.

As best shown in .Figs. 4, 9 and 12, the liner holding fingers are, 221, 22s, the guides 293, 294, the arms 281, 282, the vertical guides 281, 288 and the back closing plates 291, 292 are all se cured toand carried by the rear top plate 25 and are removable'with it as a unit.

Referring to Figs. 1,0 and .12,.each of the guides 2'55, 2:16 carries a yieldably mountedv breaker finger .285, .236 each of which projects through an opening in theguide that is inalignment with the slit formed in-the carton and opens the slit in the carton as it passes by during the formation of the carton.

Each of the front guides 264, 264. has abearing 29'l, .2,9 8in which a shaft 299 is fixed. Near-each end, the shaft carries .a tongue guide finger 30B, Sill which is located so that the fork or groove in each guide engages a locking tongue on the carton blank and guides it in toward. the slit. in the carton blank with which itinterlocks.

Below the guide fingers, each of the front guides carries'a yieldably mounted roller 392, 303 which, as the carton blank descends, open the slits in the opposite .end flaps for the reception of the locking tongues. mandrel has an opening 3% cut in each side (Fig.

4) which openings coincide with the slits in the carton blank asit is being formed and these openings travel down in alignment with the breaker:

fingers 295, 298, and the .rollers 302, 383. The slits the carton coincide'with the lower edges of the openings 3% s0 thatonly that portion of the carton above .the slit can be pressed inward to open it.

e front plate 282, the lower cross-plate 233 and brackets 234, 234 are connected together and are removableas a unit carrying. with them the guides 2,64, 26,:the guides 215,216, the guide fingers 25-1, 2.38, the rollers 3B2, 30%,jthe front plate 2%", and the flaps 266, 26:7; together with their operating levers.

Instead of the movable flaps 221, 228 shown in 9 and 11, we may use a roller Mon each of the arms 22 i, "282 as shown inFig. 14.

The method of folding the carton blank and liner is shown in Figs. 14 to 18. A carton blank 22% and liner Edi) are fed into the machineas shown-in Fig, 4 spanning the gap between'the frontplate 2,32 and the rear plate 225. The car.- ton blank-is marked with score lines so as to pro vide a panel 3!!! which will form the bottom :lof

the carton and which lies directly over thebpeningin the top frame and beneath the former IT I .Other score lines on the blank provide bottom end flap-s 381,312, a front panel or side 35:3, a back side or panel 314, a cover M5 and a tuck 38 6.

At the two ends of the front panel 39:3 arefront flaps 3H, 34% each of which is. providedwith a slit 3I-9, 3250. The'back wall of the carton SM is provided with opposite end flaps 32!, 322 .eachpf,

When the carton blank and liner have been inserted in the machine as shown in Figs. 4 and 1.4, the former 'I'H holding a measured quantity of crackers 2.93 descends. The firstoperation as The carton former or 9 the bottom of the former starts to force the carton blank down between the front and rear top plates is for the cam 256 to rock the shaft 260 which raises the front plate 265, folding up the front of the liner and the front wall 3I3 of the carton. At the same time, through the pull of the spring 213, the end fiaps 265, 2 6! are turned in folding in the sides of the liner and the front end flaps 3I'I, 3| 3 as shown in Fig. 15. As the former continues topress the carton blank and liner downthe next operation is for the wings 211, 218 (Fig. 9) or the rollers ii (whichever is used) to fold up the bottom .end flaps all, 3I2 together with the overlying fold of the liner as shown in Fig. 16. In this position the fold straightening arms H9, 229 have straightened out the rear folds 23I in the liner and the carton is substantially in the position shown in Fig. 16. The fingers 2H3, 22B are now swung up and as the carton continues to descend, the back panel 3M of the carton and top 2I5 are foldedup by the downwardly and inwardly inclined front edge of the rear plate 225. The'inclined faces 289, 2% of the vertical guides 281, 288 engage the flaps 32I, 322, 321 and 328 and gradually fold them inwardly. During this time the slits EH 9, 329 have passed beneath the breaker fingers 235, 296 which break open the slits provided they have not been cut fully open when the carton blanks were formed. As the carton descends further the locking tongues 323, 325. will engage in-the grooves in the guide fingers 29?, 298 which are inclined inwardly toward the former and as the tongues slide along them they are turned in toward the slits and also are positioned the correct distance from the slits so that when the rear side of the carton is folded into its final position by the plates 29!, 222, the tongues will be in exact alignment and ready to enter the slits 3H3, 320

when the latter are opened by pressure of the rollers 392, $5533 on both the tongues and the carton above the slits. These rollers not only open the slits but also press the locking tongues firmly against the sides of the flaps SI'I, 3H3 directly above the slits so that as the tongues are pressed forward by the back closing plates 29I, 292, the tongues must enter in the slits and lock the carton in formed position. As the former I'II carries the carton down below the rollers 362, 303 it reaches the end of its stroke and the holding plate 2 is moved to release the crackers 293. The former is now withdrawn and the fully formed box filled with crackers as shown in Fig. 18 drops to the conveyor belt 329, Fig. 2, which carries it up to the closing machine. The belt I23 (Figs. 2, 5, 6, and 8) is driven continuously but the stack of crackers (the front edge of which is indicated at 330) is advanced intermittently, the crackers coming to rest when the rails I23 raise them above the belt.

Adjacent the plunger I25 is a bracket 33| having guides 332, 333 in which the stem 334 of a cracker holder is slidably mounted. At its inner end the holder has a soft head 335, made from sponge rubber or other suitable material,

10 so that they will not fall over when the plunger I25 has pushed a measured quantity of crackers 293 into the hollow former III. holds the front of the stack of crackers from tipping over until the follower I25 returnsinto engagement with the front CraCk6IS 0f.I3he stack. When the plunger I25 is retracted it strikes the finger 336 and withdraws the holder out of contact with the crackers as best shown in Fig.5.

In Fig. 7, we show a metal leader orstarting block 338 that is used at the head of the stack of crackers on the belt I23 when starting up the machine. This starting block may be formed from sheet metal or cast and is provided with two feet 339, 340 which will span the belt I23 and rest on the rails I237. The block is hollow so that it will pass over, without touching, the follower I26. The block, partly broken away, is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. When the machine is started up, one of these blocks is placed at'the entrant end of the conveyor I23, and is supported on the rails I23. As the stack of crackers is advanced by the belt, theblock is pushed ahead on the rails by the advancing stack and keeps the first crackers standing on edge until they reach and are held by the follower I 26. The hollow startin block then passes over, the follower and no longer functions. It may be removed from the machine or left standing in its inactive positions (as shown in Fig. 6) until the machine is next started, when it will again be placed in position to lead the stack of crackers.

When the follower 26 is released and returned toward the front of the stack of crackers, its motion will be very rapid caused by the drop of the Weight in the well I35. If this return movement is not checked, the follower may strike the crackers with sufiicient force to break them. In order to check this return movement of the follower, the bottom of the well I30 is closed so as to provide adash-pot for the falling weight as shown in Fig. 2. However, as the weight drops, the air must escape-from the well which is provided with openings 339, that may be of any size or shape adapted for the purpose, through which the air canescape until the lower edge of the falling weight passes the lower edge of these openings after which the air must escape through the narrow space between the walls of the well and the sides of the weight and will cushion the last part of the downward movement of the weight and cause the follower to contact the crackers gently. The contact pin or striker I32 is adjustable with respect to the follower I26, so that the timing of the machine may be ad- 'justed to enable the plunger I25 always to push exactly the necessary volume of crackers from the head of the stack on the transfer plate I24 into the former III. These pins may be adjusted in any manner as by the clamp shown h'olclingthe pin I32 in Fig. 8. v I

The operation of the cracker feedingand measuring mechanism is best-illustrated in Figs; 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8. When the machine is startedone of the starting blocks 338 is placed on the rails I23 at the righthand end of the belt I23. The crackers are fed to the belt stacked on edge and as the belt advances carrying the crackers it also carries the starting block forward until the block passes over the follower I26 andthe advancing stack of crackers contacts the follower. The follower. is pressed back by the advancing crackers until it reaches the position shown-in Figs. 6 and-8 at which time the switch I 3| is tripped by the striker The holder :11 132 which closes the. circuitsthrough tl 1 e sole- .noids I33 and I34. The-solenoid l &*3 thenop e r- ,ates to lift the railsl 23' 310016512116 surfacep iffih At the same time the solenoid H4 is energiized the stop I48.

With the-stack of crackers now atrrestrandthe shaft l3! starting its rotation, the plunger izd starts its inward movement as shown ingFig. 6 and pushes a measured quantity of crackers 293' 1 .from the front former I'll.

When the plunger started. its inward stroke,

of the stack into the hollow which permitted thesoft head 335to-engage the front of the'remaining stack of crackers andhold them in position as shown in Fig. 6. .When the measured quantity of crackers is pushed inward past the follower I26, the followeris" returned by the weight dropping in the well I39, the head of thefollowerpassing through meanness (Fig. 4)

the-transfer plate 124 asshown inFig.]5, -or with .the wall of the plunger that is in-ccntact'with thehead of the stack of crackers-when the slot 340 does not extend all the way through. The -,clamp 2H ,isnowoperated to=grip the crackers in the hollow former I1 I and "as the plunger 1.25 .continues its return strokeitstrikes the finger 3 3B .andwithdraws the head 335 out of contact with the stack of crackers.

switch l3l so that the circuits through the solenoid I33, l3 l are opened. This dropstherails I23'sothatthe-crackers again rest on the belt l23wand are carried forward. Theformer .iTH is now moved downward through operation of the iqcam l81,.a carton blank and liner having been -fed into position beneath the former as previously 2&125370 belt 123, thereby lifting the crackersaout of con Ltact with-the belt so thatthey come to rest. 5

5. it released the finger-3,36 of the cracker holder .in theplunger 125 until it comesin contactwith .the head of the stack ofcrackersremaini-ng on The return of the follower I26 withdraws the'striker I32 from the described, 'As soon as th-estack of crackers has again advanced so as to .push thefollower I26 ,toIthe left and again close the circuits through the solenoids, the'meohanism operatesthrough another cycle. ,7

The arms carrying :the tongue presser ;-rollers 302,303 preferably carry-tongueguides 302", 3!];3 which may bemade from thin spring steel or These guides 'Withsome other suitable material. sizes of cartons and certain kinds ofcartonmaterial are desirable to insure that the locking :tongues ;enter correctly and timely under .the i presser rollers. As clearly shown in Fig. 2 the :arms carrying the rollers3ll2, 303 are urged inwardly by coil springs or other suitable means.

-While we have shown rollersfor opening the: car- 7 .ton slits, rounded surfaces or camson the-arms operate ,satisfactori ly but there is less friction Th iold s eht ninafinsers; s ow I in Fig... ;s ne al1 ares otneces ar wh h carton car a :s less .ztha ;..O p u d capac ty; bu when. l reerca on zar use they r as ist material in kee th .Llinc field ai t; and. c t ibut .tdhishe sp ed vonc ation. V V

The machine is readily convertible to use with different size: cartons. 1 vbest shown in r;gs...9

.a-nd 1,1, the rear unit tioned accurately on-the frame by =dowels'3 45, 3 46 .All that is necessary to remove this unit and replace it with another one is'to remove the four lbolts and liftout the unit. It is then replaced with another unit which is drilled to receive the .dowels 345, 3,46 and is secured; in the sameposition by the bolts 34! to 2344. .The front unit is secured to the top ofthe frame by four bolts 341,

348,348, 350 (Fig. .9) an the. cross-bars 233 is a secured by four bolts 351,352, 353,.353 (-Fig.2)'.'

When it is desired to remove this unmhe arm 2.491s disconnected at its uppercnd and the link .258 is disconnected.fromthe arm.259. The eight bolts :are then removed and thefront unit can be lifted off. This operation isreversed toinstall a unit tolopcrateon carton blanks of'a difierent size. r I

Thecartonformer or mandrel ill will also have to be changed but the. diiferent size mandrel willbe connected to the cross-bar H2 in such position that its lower edge will occupy the same -relative position-as the'lower edge of thev former shown, and thus no change need be made in the timing of any of the mechanism.

While we have illustrateda machine in which measured quantitypf-articles is'fed into a hollow mandrel and the cartonformed about the contents, the machine is adapted to form empty Also, instead of filling the cartons and liners. mandrel with ameasured quantity of relatively large crackers or biscuit, it is contemplated that the mandrel may be filled by discharging a'pre determined-weight or volume cf srnaller articles intothemandrel after-it has been brought into contact with the carton blank and while the;

blank isbeing folded about it. I

Having thus described our 'inventionand illus-. trated how; it may be used in carton forming-and filling machines, we claim as our invention all adaptations and equivalents thereof that may comewithin its spirit or withinthe-scope of any. g ofour claims.

What we claim is: r J j l. In amachine of the class describedfthe combination of an endless" conveyor, means for ;driving the conveyor continuously, rails adjace'nt the edges ofthe top run of the conveyor and normally below the same; means for supplying stacked articles to the'receiving end ofsaid upper run and deliverin themat the other end, said z-articles extending beyond the conveyor and over jth e-rails means for raising said rails thereby to lift said articlessabovesaid conveyor, a plunger havingareceiving plate in thepath of the con- .veyor adjacent its delivery endadapted .to re- -;ceive articles' from the conveyor, a hollow former adjacent the said receiving plate; means for mov; ,ing said plunger and receivin plate to and from the former, and means actuated byiorward :movement of the articles on'the conveyor when a definite quantity of articles have been received on said. receiving, plate ts actuatesaid rail raising means whereby said articles come to rest and said plunger moving means is operated to. deliver the articles on said plate to the hollow former.

2. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of acontinuously driven endless conveyor carrying a continuous row of articles onits f upper run, aplunger having a receiving plate adapted to receive articles from the delivery-end of said upper run, a hollow former adjacent. said .delivery end, meansactuated by the. articles de- 1ivered from the conveyor -to,the. receiving plate is secured to the frame b f0ur bolts .341, .342, 1343, 3M and may -be ,posifor the measured quantity of article in th hol- 5 low former, means for clamping the measured quantity in the hollow former, means for withdrawing the plunger and plate fromrthe former when the articles have been clamped therein, and

means for preventing forward movement of the 10 articles on the conveyor when the plunger and plate are moving to and from the hollow former.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an endless conveyor, means for driving the conveyor continuously, rails adjacent l:

the edges of the top run of the conveyor and normally below the same, means for supplying stacked articles to the receiving end of said upper run and delivering them at the other end,

said articles extending beyond the conveyor and 20 over the rails, means for raising said rails thereby to lift said articles above said conveyor, a plunger having a receiving plate in the path of the conveyor adjacent its delivery end adapted to receive articles from the conveyor, means for moving said plunger and receiving plate across the path of theconveyor, and means actuated by forward movement of the articles on the conveyor when a definite quantity of articles have been received on said receiving plate to actuate said rail raising means whereby said articles come to rest and said plunger moving means is operated to move said plate and the articles thereon out of the path of the articles on the conveyor.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a continuously driven endless conveyor carrying a continuous row of articles stacked on edge, a hollow former adjacent the conveyor, means whereby the continuously driven conveyor advances the articles intermittently, and means for measuring off and delivering a definite quantity of the articles from the leading end of the continuous row on the conveyor into the hollow former during the interval when the articles are at rest.

EUGENE S. TASCHER'. WILLIAM BAZANT. 

